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Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that kids will definitely want to see this appealing animated film (and not just because it's been so heavily marketed at them). The movie includes themes of humans intruding on natural habitats but avoids the heavy-duty questions of how to solve the problem. Some of the chase sequences and elephant seal scenes might be scary for younger kids. Also, racial stereotypes come into play: Latin-inspired penguins are caricatured as party-loving animals, and an African-American-type penguin comes across as an oversexed, fundamentalist preacher. Still, the movie's themes of social acceptance and embracing your own uniqueness shine through.
Families can talk about how to accept and embrace each person's unique qualities. What makes Mumble different from the other penguins? Do you think it's hard for him to pursue his dream even when the others think it's weird? Why do some people think that everyone should conform and "fit in"? Has there ever been a time when you didn't feel like you fit in? How did that make you feel? How can people's individual abilities benefit their community and the larger world?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Jane Boursaw
This ultra-cute movie from Aussie filmmaker George Miller is guaranteed to make you want to get up and dance. And lest you think it's a rip-off of the 2005 documentary March of the Penguins let's set the record straight. Although it still manages to sneak in some real-life penguin oddities to fascinate viewers, this CGI movie is all about charm and happiness, not struggles to survive in a harsh environment.
Elijah Wood lends his voice to the role of Mumble, an Antarctic penguin who can't find his "heart song," a tune unique to each penguin that's supposed to attract a mate. Poor Mumble can't sing a note. Instead of the soulful melodies all the other penguins sing, he croaks out horrible sounds.
But he can tap dance up a storm, which is exactly what he does, even though the other penguins think it's just plain weird. Except his mom, Norma Jean (Nicole Kidman), who loves him, and another young penguin named Gloria (Brittany Murphy), who takes a shine to him, too. But Mumble's dad, Memphis (Hugh Jackman), thinks his son's talent isn't penguin-like. And he's afraid that Mumble's differences stem from an "accident" with the egg -- on Memphis' watch -- before he was born.
Eventually, the penguin tribe's leader, Noah (Hugo Weaving), ousts Mumble from the community, claiming that his oddities are responsible for the recent fish shortage driving the group to starvation.
Exiled, Mumble embarks on a journey to discover the true cause of the waning food supply. Along the way, he stumbles upon a gang of Latin penguins, the Adelie Amigos, and their guru, Lovelace (Robin Williams, who also voices one of the gang and narrates the story). They convince Mumble that his dancing is actually cool. Together, they search for the "alien annihilators," who gave Lovelace a "talisman" (a plastic six-pack container ring).
Mumble's dancing is awfully cute -- but also true-to-life, thanks to the motion-capture techniques used to graft acclaimed hoofer Savion Glover's moves onto the penguin's body. The characters are fun, the Antarctic landscapes mesmerizing, and the storyline sweet. And the music is dazzling -- everything from funk to rock to disco (Prince wrote an original song for the movie, "The Song of the Heart"). Don't miss this one.
Families who enjoy this movie might also like Madagascar, A Bug's Life, and Ice Age.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentThe penguins must sing a unique "heart song" to find a mate. Mumble bumps into another penguin's private parts. Reference to male penguins not wanting to hug each other. Some innuendoes from a male penguin about female penguins wanting him. |
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ViolenceThe penguins are attacked by elephant seals. They must face cold and blizzards. |
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Language"Freakin'," reference to kissing penguins' butts. |
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Social BehaviorA young penguin stands out from his flock because he's different. He tries to compensate for his "handicap" by doing something (dancing) that sets him apart from the others, but they still ostracize him for his weirdness. But ultimately, the message of embracing your own uniqueness shines through. Some racial/ethnic stereotyping among penguin characters who are meant to seem Latino and African American. |
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CommercialismSigns of humans intruding on natural habitat (a plastic six-pack ring plays into the storyline). |
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